Cooling System Maintenance

Diagnosis

Radiators

Head Gaskets

Thermostats

Heater Cores

Transmission Coolers

Fan Clutches

Water Pumps

Air Conditioning Service

Electric Fans

A/C Conversions

R12 & R134a Service

Hoses & Belts

How do they work?The cooling system is not very complicated. Coolant, (once upon a time it was plain water, but now it's usually a 50-70% solution of ethylene glycol plus water), circulates around the engine combustion chambers and valves to collect the heat. The fluid then travels through radiator hoses to the radiator, where it is cooled and returned to the engine.

Simple as this may sound, a cooling system consists of much more than a radiator and hoses. Knowing the major components and their relationship to one another is helpful not only to the many car owners who do most of their own cooling system maintenance, but also to those who have the work done for them.